Chicken Soup 4 My Mom

[UnaChispita]

So my mom is 73 and lost my dad last year.

She isn't cooking for herself (and she's been sick) and my sis and I do what we can.

My question b/c I want to go to her house while she is at work so I can put this in the crock pot:

Chicken soup!

32 ounces chicken broth
1 clove garlic
3 chopped carrots
1 chopped onion
1 lb chicken cut into cubes
1 potato (we are Irish)
thyme
bay leaf
salt and pepper


Any thing you think I should include?

Suggestions welcome. I want her to come home to a fantastic smell in her house!

Thank you in advance!

[cowboybiker]

Uhmmm.... Chicken!?

Chicken would go well with chicken soup

and some celery too

edit: I see the chicken now.
Just thought it should be at the top of the list

[aristomeow]

Soup noodles and chick peas. Chicken soup is wonderful but it's not "substantial" enough.. when my aunt would make it she'd use noodles and peas

[UnaChispita]

Uhmmm.... Chicken!?

Chicken would go well with chicken soup

and some celery too

edit: I see the chicken now.
Just thought it should be at the top of the list

Yes! Some celery!

Soup noodles and chick peas. Chicken soup is wonderful but it's not "substantial" enough.. when my aunt would make it she'd use noodles and peas

I think I'll have her add cooked noodles after. They get so soggy.

Huh. Chick peas... Hadn't thought about that...

[dsm246]

What a sweet thing to do for your mother!

My Italian in-laws all grate Parmesan cheese on their chicken soup. It is delicious. You might leave her a little cheese to grate and a nice crusty loaf of bread to eat with the soup.

[aristomeow]

Yes! Some celery!



I think I'll have her add the noodles after. They get so soggy.

Huh. Chick peas... Hadn't thought about that...

Chick peas are so good but .. I'm probably biased. I put them in everything.

Freshly cracked pepper if she can handle it instead of the normal stuff Chicken <3s pepper.

[UnaChispita]

What a sweet thing to do for your mother!

Thank you! It is the least I can do after she raised me and all

My Italian in-laws all grate Parmesan cheese on their chicken soup. It is delicious. You might leave her a little cheese to grate and a nice crusty loaf of bread to eat with the soup.

Yes! I will! It will give a little saltiness to the dish.

chick peas... and peas

This is interesting....maybe a little earthiness?
A can?? Half a can!!

[aristomeow]

Thank you! It is the least I can do after she raised me and all



Yes! I will! It will give a little saltiness to the dish.



This is interesting....maybe a little earthiness?
A can?? Half a can!!

Half. Don't want to overpower the soupiness!

[latebloomingmom]

I Like to use the frozen egg noodles you can buy in the freezer section..they are thicker
I also like to take the celery stalks in the middle and chop up a few with some of the leaves too
onions?
let's see thyme goes in it
and some poultry seasoning too
I like to use chicken meat on the bone because I think it gives it better flavor
parsley too maybe some marjorum ( ok that cant be spelled right)



when I make this for the kids its usually a two day process..I roast a chicken and then boil the
carcass for soup..put the stock in the fridge and then the next day scrap off the hardened chicken fat on top
then make the soup

[UnaChispita]

I Like to use the frozen egg noodles you can buy in the freezer section..they are thicker
I also like to take the celery stalks in the middle and chop up a few with some of the leaves too
onions?
let's see thyme goes in it
and some poultry seasoning too
I like to use chicken meat on the bone because I think it gives it better flavor
parsley too maybe some marjorum ( ok that cant be spelled right)



when I make this for the kids its usually a two day process..I roast a chicken and then boil the
carcass for soup..put the stock in the fridge and then the next day scrap off the hardened chicken fat on top
then make the soup :)

Damn girl.

I wasn't planning to be that committed.

Next time???????

[Lunu]

She works at 73?! That's so admirable and I think it's a lovely gesture from you. No tips really - I've never made it! Sounds tasty though and I'm sure she'll love it!

[LisaSkinnoble]

I use celery seed instead of celery, as I don't like the consistency of over-cooked celery. I also add potatoes to mine, and sometimes frozen corn nibblets.

If you're adding peas, I'd advise against using canned - they're too mushy and loaded with sodium. Add a couple of handfuls of frozen peas in the last hour of cooking.

Hope she's on the mend soon, Una!

[LeanButNotMean]

This is a lovely idea - your Mom is lucky to have such a thoughtful daughter!

If she needs to watch her sodium, you can buy unsalted chicken stock. I use it in my soup and can not tell any difference whatsoever. I also like using the cooked rotisserie chicken from the grocery store; it is more tender than the chicken I bake myself.

If you have any extra or want to practice, I would be happy to taste test....

[Lioness27]

That is so awesome of you. She is going to love it unfortunately no suggestions from this corner, I'm still trying to learn how to cool from my mom lol

I know when I have soup I love to dip bread or those yummy buttery crackers in it haha

[latebloomingmom]

Damn girl.

I wasn't planning to be that committed.

Next time???????

oh fine then do the short cut version with chicken breasts and canned chicken broth

[penny0527]

Parsley

[UnaChispita]

She works at 73?! That's so admirable

She is a small business owner and works by choice even at 73 because she is teh awesome.

I use celery seed instead of celery, as I don't like the consistency of over-cooked celery. I also add potatoes to mine, and sometimes frozen corn nibblets.


Hope she's on the mend soon, Una!

You know, my mom is a fan of celery. However, I hate cooked celery but love the taste in a soup--celery seed is a great idea. Also will add a potato

Thanks Lisa!

This is a lovely idea - your Mom is lucky to have such a thoughtful daughter!

If she needs to watch her sodium, you can buy unsalted chicken stock. I use it in my soup and can not tell any difference whatsoever. I also like using the cooked rotisserie chicken from the grocery store; it is more tender than the chicken I bake myself.

If you have any extra or want to practice, I would be happy to taste test....

A rotisserie chicken would add flavor, wouldn't it? Better than cut up chicken breast.

Parsley

^^^. Yes! Will add!



Thanks guys!

[latebloomingmom]

Damn girl.

I wasn't planning to be that committed.

Next time???????

I was a stay at home mom when I did this..used to make home made bread from scratch to go with it while it was cooking on the stove..
sit down do the mending, throw in a load of wash, do some cleaning, read a book..
seems like an awful long time ago now

[UnaChispita]

I was a stay at home mom when I did this..used to make home made bread from scratch to go with it while it was cooking on the stove..
sit down do the mending, throw in a load of wash, do some cleaning, read a book..
seems like an awful long time ago now

New chapters, LBM, you're on to new chapters!!

When I have time, I like to cook. It relaxes me to putz around in the kitchen.

Ahhhh....homemade bread. Wish I could bake...thinking I should get one of those bread makers.

[penny0527]

New chapters, LBM, you're on to new chapters!!

When I have time, I like to cook. It relaxes me to putz around in the kitchen.

Ahhhh....homemade bread. Wish I could bake...thinking I should get one of those bread makers.

Cooking does the same thing for me. If I'm home alone I can cook all day. I usually have my nook in there as well so I can read off and on.

I have a bread machine that I've never used. I just use my stand mixer.

[UnaChispita]

Cooking does the same thing for me. If I'm home alone I can cook all day. I usually have my nook in there as well so I can read off and on.

I have a bread machine that I've never used. I just use my stand mixer.

If I had any baking talent I would give it a try.

It's the running joke at our cousin Christmas cookie exchange that I am terrible at baking.

We've had this thing for twelve years now. Every year, my cookies are just awful.

Last year, I roasted raw almonds and put different spices on them. Burned the first pan to a crisp. Talk about expensive.

This year, I gave everybody plants.


They were a lot happier.

[penny0527]

If I had any baking talent I would give it a try.

It's the running joke at our cousin Christmas cookie exchange that I am terrible at baking.

We've had this thing for twelve years now. Every year, my cookies are just awful.

Last year, I roasted raw almonds and put different spices on them. Burned the first pan to a crisp. Talk about expensive.

This year, I gave everybody plants.


They were a lot happier.

Very funny!

Baking is easier than cooking........

[UnaChispita]

Baking is easier than cooking........

I think my problem is in the measuring!


Update on Mom Soup:

Okay, so I often wonder what happens to the people who ask for advice, so for what it's worth, I'm giving an update.

Here is the recipe I used based on your suggestions:

1/2 rotisserie chicken cubed (yes, CBB, I am putting this first )
32 oz chicken broth
1 potato
3 carrots
1 stalk celery
1 small onion
Fresh parsley
Fresh thyme
1 clove garlic
salt and pepper
bay leaf

Left her some fresh parmesan and bread.

No chickpeas cuz I couldn't find them at the store.

Here is the pic: (also pic is huge as well as my mom's gigantic crock pot lol)




Here is the note I left:

"Hi Ma!
Hope you're feeling better! Sorry. Couldn't stay. Had to take the dog to the vet. Remember I told you about that body building site I frequent? Got some great ideas for a chicken soup recipe there. Rolls next to the crock pot. Parmesan is in the fridge. Skin from rotisserie chicken is also in the fridge for the dog's meal. Love ya!"



She called last night. Very happy: "Oh honey...thank you! I walked in from work and the house smelled so good! The soup was delicious. It was so nice to come home to. How thoughtful."


So...I'm thinking I should surprise her on Saturdays with some food when she is working and I am not.

I have this great tomato basil soup recipe from scratch. Never made it in the winter though because tomatoes taste bad...not sure if it would make a difference.

[Simpy]

I Like to use the frozen egg noodles you can buy in the freezer section..they are thicker
I also like to take the celery stalks in the middle and chop up a few with some of the leaves too
onions?
let's see thyme goes in it
and some poultry seasoning too
I like to use chicken meat on the bone because I think it gives it better flavor
parsley too maybe some marjorum ( ok that cant be spelled right)



when I make this for the kids its usually a two day process..I roast a chicken and then boil the
carcass for soup..put the stock in the fridge and then the next day scrap off the hardened chicken fat on top
then make the soup

YES! The tender celery in the middle plus the leaves is way, way better to use in a soup than the outer pieces of celery.


I also prefer barley to noodles, but that's probably just me.

[BrotherWolf]

So my mom is 73 and lost my dad last year.

She isn't cooking for herself (and she's been sick) and my sis and I do what we can.

My question b/c I want to go to her house while she is at work so I can put this in the crock pot:

Chicken soup!

32 ounces chicken broth
1 clove garlic
3 chopped carrots
1 chopped onion
1 lb chicken cut into cubes
1 potato (we are Irish)
thyme
bay leaf
salt and pepper


Any thing you think I should include?

Suggestions welcome. I want her to come home to a fantastic smell in her house!

Thank you in advance!

Chicken broth ?? and no chicken , shouldn't chicken be the main ingredient ?

you start a chicken soup with a whole chicken

all the chicken goodness is in the bone not the meat

[UnaChispita]

Chicken broth ?? and no chicken , shouldn't chicken be the main ingredient ?

LOL

It was a few ingredients down the list.

I am a non-linear thinker. It is tough to live in a linear world lol

But...what about the question I have regarding tomato basil soup? Do you think the tomatoes are too crappy right now to make a good soup from scratch?

[BrotherWolf]

What a sweet thing to do for your mother!

My Italian in-laws all grate Parmesan cheese on their chicken soup. It is delicious. You might leave her a little cheese to grate and a nice crusty loaf of bread to eat with the soup.

it's common for us to save the crust of the cheese to add to soups , we do it in the north

[UnaChispita]

you start a chicken soup with a whole chicken

all the chicken goodness is in the bone not the meat

I agree!!

I just didn't have time!

[BrotherWolf]

LOL

It was a few ingredients down the list.

I am a non-linear thinker. It is tough to live in a linear world lol

But...what about the question I have regarding tomato basil soup? Do you think the tomatoes are too crappy right now to make a good soup from scratch?

yes crappy tomatoes makes crappy soup.. use quality canned tomatoes without basil and added sugar just plum tomatoes in water

[whatevergirl]

aw, una...what a good daughter you are.

this thread warms my heart. i'm sure she'll love not only the soup, but the thought you put into this for her. <3